PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royal is a four-player game which has single player and multiplayer modes. Players can also choose to team up for two-on-two battles if they prefer.

One of the main selling points of this game will be the characters. Although a full of characters hasn’t been revealed, we do know of a handful of familiar faces that will join the fight. Expect to see Kratos, PaRappa, Fat Princess, Sweet Tooth and Sly Cooper. We’ll be sure to learn more details at E3. Until then, enjoy this reveal video.

Master Chief Returns With Worldwide Launch of “Halo 4” Beginning Nov. 6

Marking the return of gaming’s most iconic hero, the first chapter of a brand new “Halo” saga is the year’s most anticipated video game release.

REDMOND, Wash. — April 17, 2012 — The countdown has begun for the landmark entertainment event millions of fans worldwide have been anticipating for more than four years. “Halo 4,” the hotly anticipated sequel to the iconic franchise that has shaped entertainment history, will launch worldwide on Nov. 6, 2012.

“Halo 4” marks the return of legendary hero Master Chief, named by Fast Company as “one of the most popular characters in gaming history,”¹ and aims to set a new standard for blockbuster interactive entertainment with the launch. Set four years after the events in “Halo 3,” Master Chief returns to confront his destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. Developed by 343 Industries, “Halo 4” marks a new beginning for the landmark entertainment franchise that has sold more than 40 million games worldwide and inspired multiple New York Times best-selling novels, live-action shorts, comic books, action figures and apparel.

“We are beginning a new saga with ‘Halo 4’ and embarking on a journey that will encompass the next decade of ‘Halo’ games and experiences,” said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios. “Millions of fans worldwide have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to step back into the boots of Master Chief, and, with ‘Halo 4’ leading the charge, we’re confident 2012 will be the most successful year in Xbox history.”

“Halo 3,” the biggest consumer product launch of all time when it released in 2007,² concluded the original game trilogy, but left many unanswered questions around the fates of the series’ beloved hero, the Master Chief, and his artificial intelligence companion, Cortana. On Nov. 6, fans will experience the next chapter of the iconic franchise.

Tonight, Conan O’Brien will help celebrate this fall’s launch of “Halo 4” with a special segment on “CONAN” on TBS at 11 p.m. PDT/10 p.m. CDT. Those interested should tune in and check out http://www.teamcoco.com or follow @TeamCoco on Twitter for updates and more details.

It made me laugh

The system has a 5-inch screen that can handle 960×544; and is touch responsive. The Vita was very responsive to every given in-game action; from lifting people up in Uncharted; to dragging blocks in LBP, it’s very direct and smooth. I also noticed that typing with the device is similar to an iPhone as you use the screen instead of navigating the letters via directional pad.

The biggest visual difference is dual analog sticks. Unlike the previous generation of the PlayStation Portable; it had only a single analog stick and all the other controls were compromised when certain games were ported. For this reason, I am excited to see how future games will involve the right analog viewing (shooter games, mainly).

On the front side, the things that remained the same are the face buttons (triangle, square, circle, and X) and the directional pad. New additions like the PS button (most popularly known to be on the PlayStation 3) make going back to the console menu much faster. The Start/Select is now located on the bottom right side, which is much more convenient than in the center, like the PSP. The speakers of the Vita are next to the analog sticks; making it a better location than having it literally on the side of the PSP. The two cameras located on the back and front of the Vita have the ability to shoot 480p video, and can take 1.3 megapixel pictures. I admire how on the front of the PSP they relocated the START/SELECT and volume buttons, so that the game is in full view and uses up all the space it can.

On the bottom of the device is a USB port where you can plug this into PlayStation 3 or into a wall charger. There’s the headphone jack, and that tiny little box you see is the actual microphone which enables you to voice chat with people in game. Next to the headphone hole, is the flap where you insert your memory card, unfortunately the only memory cards that work with the VITA are only console specific, but it would be nice if in the future you could use a microSD.

On the back of the VITA is the infamous touch pad, where you can control games with touching the back. I already explained the cameras in the front and back which have the same specifications. The two ergonomic rubber pads at the back are helpful, so that you don’t accidentally touch the back touch pad if it used in the game.

At the top of the Vita L/ R (left and right trigger) have a better feel than the PSP. The volume is now located at the very top of the PSP next to the right trigger, the button this time is bigger so at least you can feel the metal when adjusting the volume. The button next to the L is the power button, though only problem I could see is that you could accidentally press it, but then again you actually have to hold the button down in order for it to turn it off. Now the center part where the big metal block is located is supposed to be the location of where you insert the game and an accessory jack, which I would assume you plug other objects into.

The last physical thing I should mention is the usage of the internal gyroscope and six-axis. Similar to the PlayStation 3 this also had the ability to move the object around and it would affect things in game (i.e. sniping in Uncharted, swaying Sackboy on objects in LBP, etc.)

Upon turning on the Vita, the screen shows bubble shaped buttons that have content manager. If you’re familiar with the previous PSP then everything on the menu isn’t foreign. But that said, the Vita will also support remote play and storing media (music and videos) by purchasing it from the PlayStation network or transferring it via USB. If you swipe the screen upwards (easy to tell by the arrows) you get to the next part of the menu. This has a couple of new features very similar to the PSP and more. The account manager, when completely synched will enable transfer your account information (of course) but also your friends list and trophies. And with your friends, you have the ability to communicate to your friends via Group messaging and Party which enables communication with them despite them being in a different game or lobby.

The PS Store is where you can access your games into your account and have the chance to download games into your new Vita via 3G or WI-Fi, those games are unannounced but they confirmed that PSP/PS1/and maybe some current PS3 games will be playable through here. The Welcome Park is the best place to go when your first purchase the new device.

The last thing noticed on the menu which is “Near”,which touches on the social networking side of the Vita: where your friends are, what they are playing, and other players in your vicinity. This enables the use of 3G which would keep you grounded in contact with everyone owning a Vita.